The Portland daily press., 1887-09-02
THE FIRST LAND,
The Man Who First Sees the Big
Steamers that Come from Europe.
[NewYork Mail ana Express.

lNewYork Mall ana Express.1
A little way from the lighthouse on Fire
Island beach, for whose welcome beams the
lookout on the incoming steamers is on the
watch after nightfall, stands the marine OBJ
| servatory. This was built two years ago by
the Western Union Telegraph company for
| the use of the observer who watches for the
| foreign steamers that come into view in the
| horizon. For some years previous the cUYo-
| la of the Surf Hotel had been used ior this
purpose, but higher poia: of view was
needed, and the riain, square structure,
about which so many visitors to the beach
are curious, was accordingly built. 1t /. so
solidly constructed, with heavy timbers Sc
curely braced and with guys at each corner
made fast to heavy anchors in the beach as
to be secure habitation during the fiercest
winter storm. The interior is very comfort
| able and pleasant, and there is no lack of
fresh air to be had in the neighborhood The
two lower stories are used as dwelling by
the observer and his family, and the square
upper room, sixty feet from the ground, com
mands an extensive view in every direction.
Here Mr. Peter keegan, who for eight years
has been stationed at Fire Island keeps
watch day and night for the incoming steam
ers. Portfolios are made on the side CT the
building toward the ocean, and with the helm
OF a powerful telescope vessel can be seen
and her identity established when she is a
long way off shore. Most of the European
steamers lay their course for Fire Island
light, and as the observer keeps thoroughly
informed respecting their movements ne
knows just when TO look for them Before
the signals can be read, his experienced eve
fixes the identity of the steamer by its pecu-
llarltles OF appearance. The state of the at
inosphere OF course materially affects the
case, and as will not do to report the
Vessei upon mere surmise great care is nee
essary. On clear day vessel can be rec
ognlzed at distance of fifteen or eighteen
miles by the observer as one would know
friend In the street from his general appear
ance. This is about the distance from the
Battery to Sandy Hook. 1t is to the credit
OF the observer that during the two years
spent In this lookout but one error has been
made In reporting the name of an incoming
vessel. As soon as Mr.. keenan, ident ies
the vessel he teegraphs to New York. and
the news speedily finds its way to expectant
friends and to all parties interested, an hour
Hook. The wire leads from the observatory
across the beach and by submarine cable
across the bay to Conklin's Point on the
mainland, and thence to the marine depart
ment OF the telegraph company at No. 1876
Broadway.
The sights seen through the telescope at
the observatory are occasionally of an excit-
ing character. Mr.. Keenan, saw the Hilton
Castle founder, and also, one Sunday morn
Ing In March, 1886, he noticed the mysterious
movements OF the Oregon that indi Gated
something wrong. This was the steamer
which had collision with an unknown yes
sci, and sustained such injuries as to cause
her laundering shortly afterwards. In this
case good judgment was required to avoid
creating unnecessary alarm, and yet give in
formation OF great Importance as to what
was taking place fifteen miles away. The
Oregon was seen to be going off her course
and then to disappear, with two sailing yes
sells near by. A little later the smoke of a
steamer, which was thought to be the Fulda,
was seen in the horizon, and not long after
wards the S45 persons who had been taken
by the sailing vessels from the disabled
steamer before she went down were trans
graphed to New York. This was one OF the
exciting episodes in the life at the obserya-
tory. But the general routine is a regular
one. Constant vigilance and unfailing ac-
curacy are required there and the demand
Tor these excellent qualities seems to be sup
piled. Life on Fire Island beach in winter
must be monot0nous The hotel is closed
and the entire population consists of the two
persons who are left there in charge, the in
mates Of the observatory building, the three
men at the lighthouse and the crew at the
Life Saving Station. Yet the observer in
his little lookout at the top of the stout build
ing, and with his family pleasantly settled
below stairs, has comfortable time of it.
ne Is spared good many annoyances to
which persons living elsewhere are subject
ed, and, except when the cable parts by
chafng near its Connection with the shore, he
IS In instant communication with the city.
The observatory Is not an attractive looking
Dulldlng Tor residence, but sight of its
interior shows that it is very pleasant one.
In August days 1t is better than a mansion
in Fifth avenue.